Can somebody explain to me the red-hot fuss about Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles asking Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning for an autograph in the parking lot after a game? There might have been less controversy if Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant had exchanged uniforms on the steps of the Appomattox Court House, then gone together down the road to share a pint of ale.

The NFL's dirty little secret is out: Football is not war. And players are fans, too.

Manning was raised by a famous quarterback. Archie taught his son more than how to read a defense. From Indianapolis to Denver, the 36-year-old Broncos quarterback has passed too many milestones to count. Along the way, here's betting Manning has signed his name on a ticket, magazine or football more than twice for every one of his 60,000 passing yards in the league.

"Growing up with a dad who got asked for a lot of autographs, I used to see it a lot after games," Manning said. "After wins or after losses, he always took time to sign. It makes an impression on a young kid."

Doing a weak imitation of the late, great Mike Wallace in his prime as a "60 Minutes" muckraker, I ambushed linebacker Wesley Woodyard in the Denver locker room and demanded to know why he wore No. 52.

Wilting under the intense interrogation, Woodyard laughed and admitted his number was a tribute to Ray Lewis, the most intense linebacker in recent NFL history.

"I've been watching him since I was in high school. And he definitely represents the way a linebacker should play the game of football," Woodyard said.

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The Broncos travel to Baltimore for a game next month. Will Woodyard ask the linebacking hero of his youth for an autograph?

"Nah, I wouldn't ask Ray Lewis for his autograph," said Woodyard, pausing a beat to set up his punch line. "But I might ask him for his jersey."

In all seriousness, Woodyard added: "When you ask a guy for his jersey and he gives it to you, that's a sign of respect for both players. He's definitely a guy whose number I would hang on a wall in my house and tell everybody who comes in to go check out that Ray Lewis jersey."

The Denver Post's NFL reporters post analysis, notes and more on this blog focusing on the Denver Broncos.

Jerseys are cool. A photo with a celebrity on your Facebook page is an acceptable humble brag. But, when it comes to autographs, I'm in agreement with Ringo Starr: A signature on a piece of paper is lame.

"I'm warning you with peace and love, I have too much to do," Starr proclaimed in 2008, admonishing admirers around the globe that their fan mail would go directly in the dumpster and he wasn't signing any more stinking copies of "The White Album."

Manning might not be bigger than the Beatles. But he's nicer than their drummer.

"Sometimes I hear, 'So and so is a jerk,' " said Manning, recalling a frequent fan lament. "I'm like, 'Why is he a jerk?' And they say, 'Well, he was sprinting to catch his flight and I asked him for an autograph and he wouldn't sign.' I went: 'Well, maybe he had to catch his flight.' "

When Charles approached Manning after Denver's 17-9 victory in Arrowhead Stadium and asked for an autograph to give to his mother, the quarterback gladly obliged.

Why did Charles make the request? His mom was too bashful to ask.

"She was shy. So I told my mom, 'Give me the paper, I'll go do it for you,' " Charles told the inquiring minds in the Kansas City media.

The problem was a television crew caught Manning's random act of kindness on video. And, in America, we're all suckers for a TMZ gotcha moment.

"That was quite annoying," said Manning, disappointed a TV camera stuck its nose in a private moment.

Kansas City is stuck in last place with a 1-10 record. Just because the Chiefs stink doesn't mean their starting running back is hopelessly star-struck.

"I don't think it's a bad deal," Charles said. "People do it every week. We're like brothers, a fraternity in the game."

My only suggestion: If Charles was going to slip Manning anything to sign, maybe it should have been a contract to play for the Chiefs.

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